2026 ESPORG SECURE TRUCK PARKING CONFERENCE
On 4th March, CLECAT attended the ESPORG annual Conference in Brussels, where representatives from the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament, the European Union Military Staff, industry stakeholders, and truck parking operators discussed the role of Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs) in strengthening the European transport network.
Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport at DG MOVE, outlined the growing policy focus on SSTPAs as key nodes within the European transport network. Whilst an estimated 380,000 truck parking spaces are currently missing across the EU, only around 2% of existing parking areas are certified SSTPAs. The shortage of secure parking has significant economic consequences, with cargo theft estimated to cost the sector around €8.2 billion annually. Such incidents, alongside other security challenges such as illegal migration, are often concentrated along major TEN-T corridors, underlining the importance of strengthening secure parking infrastructure.
A first panel on Military Mobility examined the importance of secure parking areas as dual-use infrastructure playing a vital role in both civilian and military mobility. Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General at DG DEFIS, highlighted that military mobility has gained renewed importance in recent years as part of broader efforts to strengthen Europe’s deterrence and preparedness capabilities. Current work focuses on improving cross-border infrastructure and regulatory coordination to enable the rapid movement of military personnel and equipment across Europe.
Brigadier General Mag. Stefan Lampl, Director of Logistics for the European Union Military Staff within the European External Action Service, pointed to challenges related to cross-border procedures, digitalisation and infrastructure capacity. MEP Robert Zile, co-rapporteur on the Military Mobility proposal, indicated that the European Parliament is expected to address these issues, with a draft report to be published soon.
The second panel, on drivers’ wellbeing, introduced the “Home Away from Home” concept as a central pillar of the European Wellbeing Initiative. Officially launched in March 2025, the campaign seeks to shift the perception of truck parking areas from simple asphalt lots to secure, comfortable and welcoming environments that better respond to drivers’ daily needs.